KTNA Talkeetna, 88.9 FM

Nuggets: Mat-Su Salmon Partnership

Deborah Brocke — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:51:24 +0000

Corinne Smith, the Nature Conservancy’s coordinator of the Mat-Su Salmon Partnership, talks to host Charlie Loeb about salmon habitat restoration projects in the lower Valley. In a stream-side recording, Corinne explains how the multi-agency partnership works with landowners to plan ahead on development projects and successfully restore damaged streams for healthy juvenile salmon stocks.

Here is the link for more information:

http://conserveonline.org/workspaces/MatSuSalmon

Audio runs about a half hour.

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StarDate Susitna 9-5

Deborah Brocke — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:07:05 +0000

With the return of true darkness to the upper Susitna Valley, host Kathleen Fleming returns as a regular contributor to our locally produced Earth and Beyond series. In this edition of Stardate Susitna, we hear about La Luna’s activities, how the angle of the ecliptic relates to our position on the planet, the light/dark cycle, and the bogus Mars e-mail. Audio runs 8:22.

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Morning news cast for Wednesday, September 8

Diana Haecker — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:11:35 +0000

KTNA’s news, weather, announcements and Denali Echoes, hosted by Diana Haecker. Local news headlines: Fire burns down Doctor Yates’ house; Stabbing, break-in and beatings reported in Talkeetna; State Fair investigates arrest of anti-Obama protester. (16 min.)

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Fire destroys Yates’ home and office

Sue Deyoe — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:04:22 +0000

BURNED— Doctor James Yates’ home and office burned last night. The state’s fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.

A number of serious incidents in downtown Talkeetna kept EMS and fire crews busy Monday night and early this morning. A well-established member of the community has lost his house and most of his possessions in a fire that destroyed the house and business.

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Morning Newscast – Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Sue Deyoe — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:56:56 +0000

KTNA’s morning news, echos, announcements and weather forecast for September 7th. Host is Sue Deyoe. Headlines – Search is off for the missing Katmai plane; Susitna Council asks Borough for items on CIP list; Talkeetna Community Council searching for directors; Mat Su School Board okays the idea of a wood fired boiler. 16 min.

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Troopers investigate stabbing, assault and theft in Talkeetna

Diana Haecker — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:42:27 +0000

Troopers responded to several violent incidents last night, involving a stabbing, a beating and a break-in.A 26-year old man was injured in a stabbing at the Fairview Inn. Troopers and the Talkeetna Ambulance responded to a call at 1:45 a.m. By the time troopers arrived, the 42-year old suspect was subdued and duct-taped by bar patrons. Troopers took the man into custody. The Talkeetna Ambulance transported the victim to Mat-Su Regional hospital. Troopers say that the man’s injuries were serious but non-lifethreatening. Troopers have not released any names yet. They are preparing to file charging documents with the court later on today.

At the same time, trooper dispatch received several calls about an assault near the Fairview Inn. Since the trooper was dealing with the stabbing incident, the officer had no time to gather information on the assault.

In yet another separate incident, around the same time at 2:30 a.m., Talkeetna Gifts and Collectibles Museum alarm went off. The owners discovered that somebody broke into the museum and that items were stolen. Troopers are investigating this incident as well.

Susitna Council nominates capital improvement projects

Diana Haecker — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:03:27 +0000

In a well-attended Susitna Community Council meeting, Caswell residents requested and received the council’s support for various road and fire service area projects near Caswell Lakes and the Hidden Hills subdivision.The Mat-Su Borough is currently seeking nominations for capital improvement projects for a six-year program from 2012 through 2017. The council spent most of the meeting on Thursday night discussing various nominations to be submitted to the borough.

The Susitna Community Council voted to submit nominations for several projects. One project is to build an over- or underpass across the Parks Highway to allow safe passage of pedestrians or bikers to the Su Valley High School building on the west side of the highway. Another nomination asks for turn lanes off the Parks Highway on to Hidden Hills Road. Residents testified that it is dangerous to turn off the highway into the Caswell Lakes area because no right turn lane exists that would allow drivers to slow down without having traffic backing up behind them. The same holds true for making a left hand turn when driving southbound. The third nomination calls for trail improvements and to connect the Talkeetna area with the Willow trail system for multi-purpose use and dog mushing.

The council unanimously voted to support several other Caswell project requests. They include the request from the Caswell Fire Service Area for a fire station, a fire engine and a spillway to maintain the area’s lakes at an adequate level to allow water be taken in case of a fire.

The council also supported the Caswell road service area request for improvements and upgrades to Caswell Lake Road.

In other business, council president Robert Coleman announced that council member Wade Bartell resigned because of time constraints. The council will appoint a replacement.

Motorcycle crash kills Willow man

Diana Haecker — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:58:54 +0000

A motorcycle accident at mile 64 of the Parks Highway claimed the life of 57-year-old Steven Muckey of Willow on Thursday night.Troopers say that Muckey was traveling northbound on the Parks Highway on his 2005 Harley Davidson. Witnesses riding motorcycles a quarter of a mile behind Muckey reported that he went around a curve and that they discovered him along a wooded area off the road. The motorcycle rolled several times and Muckey was not wearing a helmet. Medics pronounced Muckey dead at the scene.

Troopers are still investigating the accident and it is unknown if drugs or alcohol were involved.

Alaska Bureau of Highway Patrol as well as troopers from the Talkeetna post and Willow paramedics responded.

Wood-fired boiler gets nod from school board

Diana Haecker — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:55:50 +0000

The Mat-Su School board is throwing its weight behind the proposed wood fired boiler at the Su Valley High School.During the school board’s regular meeting last Tuesday, the board heard a presentation by Tami Hamler and Arthur Mannix urging the board to support the project.

The school board voted to do so by sending a letter of support to the Mat-Su Borough to pursue a renewable energy grant for the project and to set aside timberland to supply the fire wood.

The project has been in the works for a number of years and proposes to install a state-of-the-art wood fired boiler to provide an additional heating source to the newly-built Su Valley High School.

Roadside bear statue vandalized

Sue Deyoe — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:58:05 +0000

A girl scout project that was installed at the corner of the Parks Highway and the Talkeetna Spur Road is the latest victim of vandalism in the area.

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Talkeetna Community Council seeks nominations for 5 open seats

Diana Haecker — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:21:36 +0000

The Talkeetna Community Council is accepting nominations from people interested in serving on the council’s board of directors. There are five council member seats up for election.Four seats currently filled by Billy Fitzgerald, Doug Gualtieri, Sharon Montagnino and Jok Bodurant become vacant as their terms expire.

Council member Meeghan Vaughn moved out of the council area and vacated her seat. Instead of appointing a person to fill the remaining one-year of Vaughn’s term, the council decided to let the voters determine the replacement.

Council president Billy Fitzgerald accepts nominations via email (info [at] alaskahiking [dot] com), phone (733-2566) , in person or mail (PO Box 608, Talkeetna, 99676). The deadline to submit nominations is the closing of the council’s regular meeting on Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. The meeting date was moved from the regular meeting date on Monday because of the Labor Day holiday.

The Talkeetna Council elections coincide with the Mat-Su Borough elections and are held in October.

Talkeetna schools see jump in student enrollment

Diana Haecker — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:05:46 +0000

The area’s schools saw a steep jump in enrollment numbers, catching school officials by surprise. Talkeetna Elementary School and Su Valley Jr./Sr. High School are reporting that student numbers are exceeding projections. KTNA’s Diana Haecker has more.

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Morning news cast for Friday, September 2

Diana Haecker — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:00:06 +0000

KTNA’s local news, weather, announcements and Denali Echoes, hosted by Trisha Costello. News headlines: Student enrollment is up in Talkeetna schools; South Central Foundation gets $40 mio for Native clinic in Wasilla; Bear statue vandalized. (16 min.)

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Susitna Community Council accepts board nominations

Diana Haecker — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:02:51 +0000

Local community councils are under tight deadlines to accept nominations for open board of directors’ seats.The Susitna Community Council meets tonight and is accepting nominations for seats currently held by Terrence Shanigan, Tami Hamler and Cari Sayre. The council’s two alternate seats, held by Scott Holcomb and Eric Runstrom, are also up for election. Nominations can be made until the close of tonight’s regular council meeting at the Upper Susitna Senior Center. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Council president Robert Coleman also accepts nominations emailed to councilmembers [at] susitnacc [dot] org or by phone at 733-0973.

Nominees must reside within the council’s boundaries which are north of the Kashwitna River to the Big Su Bridge, west to the Big Su river, east to the Talkeetna Mountains, and along the Spur road from Birch Creek on south.

Talkeetna residents have mixed reactions to Murkowski’s concession

Diana Haecker — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:57:12 +0000

Tuesday’s ballot counts confirmed the lead Joe Miller had on incumbent Senator Lisa Murkowski in the Republican primaries. Talkeetna residents’ reactions varied.

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Borough to introduce draft Matanuska River erosion plan

Sue Deyoe — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:53:37 +0000

The woes of homeowners along the Matanuska River will be addressed at the next Mat Su Borough Assembly meeting on Tuesday September 7^th. The draft Matanuska River Management Plan is set to be introduced, and then scheduled for a public hearing on September 21^st.

Some residents have asked the Borough to bring in hundreds of truckloads of rocks to be deposited along the bank to stop it from chewing away the riverbank. However, the Borough has no water erosion or flood control power. That authority rests with the state.

Erosion control for any river is a cooperative agreement with the borough and the state legislature as well as various agencies. The draft management plan addresses the options for managing erosion.

According to the Borough, more than half the land currently at risk of erosion is Borough owned land.

Also on the agenda for next Tuesday is the reclassification of land on the Talkeetna Spur Road that would reserve milepost 5.5 for emergency services use land. The land would be transferred as material sales land then available for the Talkeetna Fire services to use.

An ordinance asking for the funding of the special mayoral election will be introduced at that meeting. The special election needs to be held to elect a new mayor to replace Talis Colberg who resigned his post last month. His last day is October 16^th. The ordinance calls for a budget of $10,000 for the special election.

Morning Newscast – Thursday, September 2, 2010

Sue Deyoe — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:44:42 +0000

KTNA’s morning news, weather, Denali echos and announcements for September 2nd. Host is Sue Deyoe. Headlines – Talkeetna residents react to Murkowski’s concession to Joe Miller; Mat Su Borough to address Matanuska River erosion. 16 min.

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KTNA Art Auction

Loudon Wilson — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:35:45 +0000

KTNA ART AUCTION

Sheldon Community Arts Hangar

Nuggets-Deep Chatham

Deborah Brocke — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:26:20 +0000

Aired live from the KTNA studio, host Amanda Randles talks with a couple of musicians from Chatham County, North Carolina, who have been working and playing in Talkeetna over the summer. Jeff Loops and Julian Sikes talk about their music and play several of their own songs during this half hour. Short music videos of Deep Chatham can be found on KTNA’s facebook page.

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Talkeetna Sewer and Water proposes seasonal fee change

Sue Deyoe — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:00:15 +0000

The Talkeetna Sewer and Water Board of Directors is proposing changes to operating rules and procedures for residents on Talkeetna’s utility system. The change would only affect those residents and businesses who use a seasonal fee and shutdown for half the year.

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**the Talkeetna Sewer and Water Board is currently looking for new board members. Call Jim Kellard or any other board member for more information.

Morning news cast – September, 1, 2010

Diana Haecker — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:57:08 +0000

KTNA’s morning news, weather and announcements for Wednesday, September 1, hosted by Diana Haecker. Local news headlines: Lisa Murkowski concedes Republican primary race to Joe Miller; Talkeetna Water and Sewer proposes seasonal fees changes; Curry ski train back on track. (16 min.)

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KTNA Art Auction

Loudon Wilson — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:20:48 +0000

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KTNA Art Auction

Sheldon Community Arts Hangar

Curry ski train planned for Oosik weekend

Sue Deyoe — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:45:20 +0000

The annual ski train to Curry is back this next spring. Last year, the event took a hiatus when the Alaska Railroad cancelled all of its winter charters, which included the ski train. The Anchorage Nordic Ski Association has held the event almost every year since 1972. The original train went to Grandview. The Alaska Railroad no longer allows the ski train to Grandview due to avalanche danger and other concerns. In 2003, the train started going to Curry, just north of Talkeetna.

The event this year is on March 20^th, the same weekend as the Oosik Ski Race in Talkeetna. Diane Moxness, with the Anchorage Nordic Ski Association says it’s a shame that there will be a conflict, but there isn’t any weekend in the winter where there isn’t a conflict. She says the group wanted to avoid spring break when many people are gone and also not have the event too late in the spring.

Last year’s Oosik coordinator, Bill Barstow, says planning for the Oosik isn’t underway yet and he was surprised that the ski association would plan an event to conflict with the Oosik, which is an event they promote on their own association website.

The train on March 20th starts in Anchorage and will stop in Wasilla. The train will not stop in Talkeetna on its way to Curry. Moxness said they tried the Talkeetna stop at one point in the past, but not enough individuals boarded the train here to make it feasible, both financially and time-wise.

Tickets for the ski train go on sale on October 1^st for members and after the ski associations’ annual meeting in November for non-members. There are 670 seats available .

Search continues for missing Katmai floatplane

Sue Deyoe — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:36:03 +0000

Good visibility and clear weather helped searchers continue looking for the missing aircraft in Katmai National Park yesterday. The Katmai Park superintendent has said that the search will continue as long as the good weather holds.

A minimum of ten aircraft are searching daily for the missing single engine floatplane that disappeared on August 21^st.

One of those searching is the Talkeetna-based rescue helicopter for Denali. Three personnel from the Talkeetna Ranger Station have been aiding in the search for the missing individuals and the floatplane. The Alaska Air National Guard, the US Coast Guard, Alaska State Troopers, US Department of Interior, FAA, NTSB, local air taxis and others are assisting in the search.

As hunting season begins, the searchers have asked those flying in for hunting purposes to be on the lookout for the missing DeHavilland Beaver floatplane and its four occupants, Mason McLeod (maccloud), Neal and Seth Spradlin and Marco Alletto.